In the same week when the state took a significant step forward by banning racial discrimination based on hairstyles, a Black high school student in Texas found himself suspended due to his locs, which school officials claimed violated the district’s dress code.
Darryl George, a 17-year-old junior at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, received an in-school suspension because his hair extended beyond his eyebrows and ear lobes. George proudly sports thick, twisted dreadlocks, secured on top of his head, as shared by his mother, Darresha George.
Last week, George endured the suspension, but his mother has revealed that he intends to return to his Houston-area school this coming Monday. He plans to wear his dreadlocks in a ponytail, even if it means being directed to an alternative school.
This incident rekindles discussions regarding the issue of hair discrimination, a topic that has attracted attention both in educational settings and workplaces. Moreover, it serves as an early test for the recently implemented CROWN Act in the state, which became effective on September 1st. This law, an acronym for “Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” is aimed at prohibiting race-based hair discrimination, preventing employers and schools from penalizing individuals because of their hair texture or protective hairstyles, including Afros, braids, dreadlocks, twists, or Bantu knots. Texas is among the 24 states that have adopted some form of the CROWN Act.
A federal version of the CROWN Act passed in the House of Representatives last year but did not succeed in the Senate.
For Black people, hairstyles hold profound significance beyond mere fashion statements. Across the Black diaspora, hair has always played a vital role, as emphasized by Candice Matthews, national minister of politics for the New Black Panther Nation (Note: her group is not affiliated with another New Black Panther organization widely considered antisemitic). Matthews pointed out that “Dreadlocks are perceived as a connection to wisdom” and stressed that this is not a passing trend or a quest for attention; rather, it’s about the profound connection between hair, heritage, and spirituality.
Within George’s family, the tradition of wearing dreadlocks spans generations, reflecting cultural and religious importance, as explained by his mother.
Historians note that braids and other hairstyles once served as a means of communication within African societies. They were used to identify tribal affiliation, marital status, and even provided clues to safety and freedom for those who were captured and enslaved.
After the abolition of slavery, Black American hair took on political significance. Despite the Civil Rights Act of 1964 banning discrimination on the basis of race, Black individuals continued to face professional and social stigma for not conforming to grooming standards that aligned with white, European beauty ideals.
The issue of race-based hair discrimination is not limited to schools but also extends to workplaces. In 2018, a white referee in New Jersey famously ordered a Black high school wrestler to cut his dreadlocks or forfeit a match, leading to the wrestler’s suspension and the passage of New Jersey’s CROWN Act.
Darresha George mentioned that her son had been growing his dreadlocks for nearly a decade, and the family had never encountered opposition or complaints until now. She expressed her confusion over how he could violate the dress code when his hair was pinned up.
Even though the Barbers Hill Independent School District’s dress code prohibits male students from having hair extending below certain points, Darresha George’s attorney, Allie Booker, argues that length should be considered an integral part of a hairstyle, which is protected by the law.
Despite this, the school district defends its dress code, stating that its policies aim to teach grooming, hygiene, discipline, and respect for authority. However, Darryl George’s situation has sparked solidarity among young Black people nationwide who have faced discriminatory dress codes and comments about their hair.
As Darryl George completed his suspension last Friday, his mother remains concerned about what will transpire on Monday when he returns to school with his dreadlocks in a ponytail. She worries about the impact on his grades, extracurricular activities, and overall academic progress. The family is even contemplating switching school districts, recognizing the challenges that such a move may entail.
